Monday, April 2, 2007

A Graphic Organiser



Graphic organisers is an effective way of learning. It allows students to make connections with subjects, it allows students to think on a broader level. The use of graphic organisers allows students to form ideas by writing things down, use images and use cross-linkages. Graphic organisers cater for most of Gardner's intelligences, such as: the visual learners; interpersonal learners; linguistic learners and the interpersonal learners. Linguistic and interpersonal learners are able to work collaboratively and share ideas. Vygotsky suggests that knowledge is constructed through social interactions; through graphic organisers knowledge can be constructed effectively. Interpersonal and visual learners may use graphic organisers as a tool for creative problem solving. Graphic organisers are a good cognitive tool with in a learning environment because students are able to summarise information, think through problems, and images help to recall information. (http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newISS_01.htm)

Video Clips

Video Clips is an effective learning tool in an ICT learning environment. It caters for both the visual and auditory learners and the linguistic, interpersonal, intrapersonal intelligences. Visual learners absorb information from visual displays, auditory learners absorb information through listening, they learn best through sound. Linguistic intelligences are able to learn well through words and language. Video clips assist in engaging students. It helps in enhancing a students learning by making the students become interested in what they are learning. Video clips also assist in constructing knowledge. By having discussions, students are building a greater sense of knowledge. A teacher could guide student's by asking student's relevant questions about the video. Videos may also spark emotions, this allows students to retain information more likely in the long term. E.g A humourous video in mathematics may assist in recalling information. Video clips are good cognitive tools, students are likely to think more broadly through video clips than through words. Video clips usually have an underlying message that is conveyed to the audience. This message may promote a higher order of thinking in a student.